FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How to find us: Our address is 8367 Enterprise Drive North in Mountain Iron, MN. Enterprise Drive North runs north of Highway 169 and can be accessed by taking the 169 exit on the north side of the Dairy Queen intersection.
Hours: We are open for drive through pick-up every Wednesday and Thursday between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
What if I want to make my own food selections: Customers generally are given a pre-packed mix of the food items that we have on hand. The main exception to this is the option to make a reservation for a Tuesday afternoon slot to shop alongside a volunteer inside the store. This doesn’t change the amount of food or types of food that you will receive but it does allow you to choose personal preferences from what we have in stock. If you are interested in this, please use the “Contact” link to schedule a reservation.
Do you charge anything: No. All food is free of charge.
Are there eligibility rules: Persons may use the Quad Cities Food Shelf only once every calendar month. Income documentation is not required as long as recipients certify that they fall within these financial guidelines:
Household size: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8
Annual income: $47,880 $64,920. $81,960 $99,000. $116,040. $133,080. $150,120. $167,160
Do I need to live in the Quad Cities area: No, as long as you are a Minnesota resident. Though most people supporting and using the food shelf come from the Quad Cities area, we also serve many people from surrounding communities such as Biwabik, Cherry, and Chisholm.
What to expect when I arrive: For an overview of the procedure, please see “How to Use the Food Shelf” on our home page. Most people arrive in a vehicle but if you are on foot or bicycle, just get in line with the vehicles. When you speak to the volunteer, you may want to let them know how much you are able to carry so we can see if there are adjustments that can be made to help make your items easier to manage. Some people come to the food shelf on the AEOA bus and for these folks, we deliver your food directly to the bus. Also, please know that it is ok for different families to ride together in one vehicle and still receive separate food allotments. Just let the volunteer know that this is what you are doing.
How long does it take: If there is no one ahead of you, it generally takes about 10 minutes from the time you check in until your food is brought out.
What types of special needs can you accommodate: We try to set aside food products that can be used by people on gluten free restrictions and have boxes compiled for people who lack access to cooking facilities. If a person is lactose intolerant, we will try to make adjustments given what we have in stock. Bottom line, let us know about your unique needs and we will do what we can for you.
Do you carry child diapers, adult diapers and/or feminine hygiene products: We sometimes have these items in stock. If this is something that you need, please let the volunteer know when you check in and we will do our best to accommodate you.
What happens if I already received food this month but need more help: If it is the last week of the month, you can receive your allotment for the next month early. Otherwise, we have pre-made emergency boxes with a few items to help you get by.
What if I want someone else to pick up food for me: We have a process by which you can designate a proxy to collect food for you. To arrange this, please use our “Contact” link.
Do you carry pet food: Our priority is human food but sometimes we receive donations of pet food and are happy to pass those on to people who have furry family members. If this is of interest to you, ask about it when you check in.
Where does your food come from: Essentially all of our food comes from the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program, Second Harvest Northland purchases or from local donations. We don’t have much control over what is available from week to week but we try hard to make the most cost effective selections that will assure balanced nutrition options for our community.
I heard that you have a Thrift Shop: Yes. Our thrift shop is available for personal browsing and donations each Tuesday between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. We have low cost clothing and household items available to anyone for purchase.
How can I help: We are always grateful to receive monetary support as well as donations of nutritious, non-expired food items and cleaning and personal hygiene products. To make a tax-deductible money donation, or to donate items to the food shelf, please click on the “Donate” link on our home page. You can also help by volunteering, either through working food distribution jobs at our building or by serving on our board of directors. Find out more by clicking the “Volunteer” link on our home page. Please note that some community members work with their employers, places of worship, service clubs, etc. to sponsor a food drive or to do volunteer shifts as a group. Whatever you choose to do, we are grateful!
